Standard Schnauzer vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison

Standard Schnauzer vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed ComparisonStandard Schnauzer is originated from Germany but Flat-Coated Retriever is originated from United Kingdom. Standard Schnauzer may grow 10 cm / 3 inches shorter than Flat-Coated Retriever. Standard Schnauzer may weigh 10 kg / 22 pounds lesser than Flat-Coated Retriever. Standard Schnauzer may live 6 years more than Flat-Coated Retriever. Standard Schnauzer may have more litter size than Flat-Coated Retriever. Standard Schnauzer requires High maintenance. But Flat-Coated Retriever requires Moderate maintenance

History

standard schnauzer - historyComing out of Germany in the 14th and 15th century is the Standard Schnauzer or Mittelschnauzer. Both the Giant Schnauzer and Miniature Schnauzer are descendants of the Standard Schnauzer. The first name for this breed was the Wire-haired Pinscher until 1879. The breed is a working breed that is popular in Europe and was first in a dog show in 1879 in Hanover, Germany. In 1997 they won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club in New York.

These medium size Schnauzers were bred in the Middle Ages to be versatile in working and herding in Germany. There seems to be artwork from the 14th through the 16th centuries featuring this breed of dog as a hunter. It is believed that the common ancestors of the Standard Schnauzer is the German Pinscher and the gray Wolf Spitz, along with the black German Poodle and the Bolognese.

It was 1850 when the breed gained recognition as a purebred with distinct and recognizable features. Those are not all the same features that the dogs of today show. These dogs had thick hair on their face, a double coat that is wiry, and their tails were cropped. These dogs were initially Wire-haired German Pinscher then in 1879, a dog named Schnauzer won Best in Show in Hanover. By 1900, the breed was being called Schnauzer everywhere.

The first breed standard was written under the Wire-haired German Pinscher name in the early 1880’s. This standard allowed for a lot of different colors, but the salt and pepper of today was not introduced until the late 1800’s. Then the standard was rewritten in 1907 for the Standard Schnauzer with this as the dominant color.

The first official Standard Schnauzer imported to the United States came in 1905 even though there is a claim that one competed in the 1899 Westminster Kennel Club in the Miscellaneous Class. Following the first World War, the breed became increasingly popular in the States. At that time the US club was called the Wire-haired Pinscher Club of America in 1925. Both standard and miniature sized schnauzer are included in this club.

The breeds were separated in 1933 and became the Standard Schnauzer Club of America and classified by the American Kennel Club as part of the Working Group. In 1926 they moved the Standard Schnauzer to the Terrier Group. By 1926 the Schnauzer Club of Great Britain was formed.

flat coated retriever - historyThe Flat-Coated Retriever traces its heritage to 19th century England. A popular gamekeepers’ dog, the actual descendants of the breed are not entirely known. Like so many well-established breeds, there are many lines of thought about the breed line. There is an unverified line of ancestry that includes the St. Johns Water Dog – an extinct breed from North America. Another story has Canadian sailors bringing their Newfoundlands to England and mixing them with Colliers and Setters. This story has more truth to it and it took 20 years to establish the final breed type.

The breed was originally a retriever with two purposes – to retrieve the hunters’ bounty on land and on water.

The Flat-Coated Retriever was then introduced to the United States as a gun dog. By 1873 it was a “stable type” and in 1915 the AKC recognized the breed. After this, their popularity grew quickly until the American public fell in love with the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever. Then the Flat-Coated Retriever’s numbers and popularity fell. The irony was that both the Golden and the Labrador credited the Flat-Coated Retriever as an ancestor. The survival of the breed was questionable following World War Two. They were brought back by a specific breeding program in the 1960’s.

Breeders in the ‘60s made sure they bred for both show dogs and companion animals. The Flat-Coated Retriever survived and is less popular than other retrievers, but he has his fans. The breed is more popular in the United Kingdom than it is in the United States in part because of Best in Show wins at Crufts

Description

standard schnauzer puppy - descriptionToday’s Standard Schnauzer is a square, robust, medium sized dog. The breed boasts heavy eyebrows and thick beards. They are salt and pepper or black and their coat is wiry and stiff. The breed have excellent muscle tone and a body in proportion height to length. Their build is rugged, and coat is dense.

flat coated retriever puppy - descriptionThe Flat-Coated Retriever has a straight and strong topline with unique head, strong jaws, a long muzzle and small ears. His eyes are dark brown almonds with a friendly and intelligent expression. He has an arched neck and a moderately long tail. The Flat-Coated Retriever is more of an athlete, lighter and certainly more elegant than any other type or breed of retriever.

Characteristics

1Children friendliness – yes, they love children and love to play.

2.Special talents include cancer scenting/search and rescue

3.Adaptability is good can live in the apartment/play indoors

4.Learning ability excellent but independent and stubborn

Children friendliness

flat coated retriever dog - characteristicsThe Flat-Coated Retriever is great with children. Just be careful they don’t knock over small children in their enthusiasm.

Special talents

They are confident great family dogs. They are “thinking dogs” and need something to work for or they will work for themselves. They can be clowns.

Adaptability

They are adaptable although their size might preclude small locations without yards.

Learning ability

Smart, thinking all the time, they are very trainable. However, they are considered the “Peter Pan” of dogs – they never grow up.

Health Problems

standard schnauzer puppies - health problemsThere are a couple of major hereditary health issues faced by the Standard Schnauzer.

  • Hip dysplasia – can cause lameness or arthritis.
  • Elbow dysplasia– can cause lameness or arthritis.
  • Eye disease – cataracts – can diminish eyesight or cause blindness.
  • Heart disease – can be fatal.
  • Epilepsy – can be treated with medication.
  • Skin issues including cancer – various degrees of seriousness.

flat coated retriever puppies - health problemsFlat-Coated Retrievers have their share of health concerns from dysplasia to cancer. The breeds problems include:

  1. Hip Dysplasia – not very common
  2. PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) – can result in blindness
  3. Glaucoma - an eye disease that can result in blindness
  4. Epilepsy – very rare but still seen
  5. Bloat (Gastric Dilatation and volvulus) – fatal if not treated immediately

Cancers

Hemangiosarcoma, Osteosarcoma, Malignant Histiocytosis, and Fibrosarcoma. Studies show that about half of all Flat-Coated Retrievers die of cancer.

Caring The Pet

standard schnauzer dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy: At 8-12 weeks feed four times a day. At 3 to 6 months feed three times a day. At 6 to 12 months feed twice a day.

2.Feeding the adult – feed one meal a day or two small ones.

3.Points for Good Health – very energetic breed

4. Games and Exercises – The breed is extremely athletic and needs daily exercise. They are playful with dogs and people and they are family dogs. They want to go wherever you go. Hiking, running, jogging and organized activities.

They are great at obedience, agility, flyball, disc dog, herding and tracking. They have also been involved in search and rescue, bomb detection, and cancer detection.

Feeding the puppy

flat coated retriever dogs - caringHe will be a medium size dog. Feed puppies 3-4 times a day about a 1/8 cup of high-quality food. Feed a puppy food designed for medium size dogs or specifically for retrievers.

Feeding the adult

Feed 2 times a day about !/2 cups of dry food per meal. Do not overfeed. They have a tendency to be obese.

Points for Good Health

Maintain a healthy weight and avoid exercise before and after meals. The good news is dysplasia and epilepsy are rare in the breed.

Games and Exercises

They are very energetic and need good exercise. Long walks and a yard to run in. Remember they are hunting dogs and will chase to retrieve things so don’t let them off leash outside your yard. They will excel at agility, tracking. Rally, obedience, swimming, hunting, and jogging. They make great therapy dogs.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Sporting dog
Origin:
Germany
United Kingdom
Height Male:
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
59 - 61 cm
23 - 25 inches
Height Female:
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
56 - 59 cm
22 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
16 - 26 kg
35 - 58 pounds
27 - 36 kg
59 - 80 pounds
Weight Female:
14 - 20 kg
30 - 45 pounds
25 - 32 kg
55 - 71 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 16 Years
8 - 10 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 13
4 - 8
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Mittelschnauzer, Wire-Haired Pinscher, Schnauzer
Flatcoat, flatt, Flattie Flatte (Sweden)
Colors Available:
black, Pepper-and-salt
liver and yellow (blonde, black
Coat:
Harsh and wiry when hand stripped, soft when clippered/scissored
double, glossy and smooth
Shedding:
Moderate, Constant
Constant
Temperament:
Alert, Gentle, Loyal, Social
Affectionate, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Outgoing
Grooming:
High maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Hard
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Standard Schnauzer vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Standard Schnauzer vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  3. Standard Schnauzer vs Sakhalin Husky - Breed Comparison
  4. Standard Schnauzer vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  5. Standard Schnauzer vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  6. Standard Schnauzer vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  7. Standard Schnauzer vs Portuguese Water Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Standard Schnauzer vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  9. Standard Schnauzer vs Puli - Breed Comparison
  10. Standard Schnauzer vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  11. Standard Schnauzer vs Borador - Breed Comparison
  12. Standard Schnauzer vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  13. Standard Schnauzer vs Canadian Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  14. Standard Schnauzer vs McNab - Breed Comparison
  15. Standard Schnauzer vs Porcelaine - Breed Comparison
  16. Standard Schnauzer vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  17. Standard Schnauzer vs Berger Blanc Suisse - Breed Comparison
  18. Standard Schnauzer vs Griffon Nivernais - Breed Comparison
  19. Standard Schnauzer vs Hokkaido - Breed Comparison
  20. Standard Schnauzer vs Petit Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  21. Standard Schnauzer vs Pumi - Breed Comparison
  22. Standard Schnauzer vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  23. Standard Schnauzer vs Griffon Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  24. Standard Schnauzer vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Standard Schnauzer vs Istrian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  26. French Spaniel vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  27. Flat-Coated Retriever vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  28. Flat-Coated Retriever vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  29. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  30. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  31. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  32. Flat-Coated Retriever vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  33. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Field Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  34. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  35. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Curly Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  36. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  37. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  38. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  39. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  40. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  41. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  42. Shikoku vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  43. Slovakian Hound vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  44. Small Munsterlander vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  45. Sussex Spaniel vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  46. Kooikerhondje vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  47. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  48. West Siberian Laika vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  49. Wetterhoun vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  50. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds